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The 3PL Guide
Part III

Selecting a 3PL

Published articles open now; the rest are coming soon.

3.1Documenting your requirements

  • 3.1Your operational profile: orders per day, units per order, SKU count, cube, seasonalityTemplateComing soon
  • 3.1How to pull an order profile from Shopify, Amazon or your ERPHow-toComing soon
  • 3.1Building a SKU profile: dimensions, weights, velocity (ABC), storage typeHow-toComing soon
  • 3.1Peak-to-average ratio: the number every 3PL will ask forReferenceComing soon
  • 3.1Special handling: lot/expiry, serial numbers, hazmat, temperature, fragile, high valueExplainerComing soon
  • 3.1Integration requirements: which systems must connect and howExplainerComing soon
  • 3.1Value-added service requirements: kitting, inserts, gift notes, personalizationExplainerComing soon
  • 3.1Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves: forcing the ranking before you talk to vendorsComparisonComing soon

3.2Finding candidates

  • 3.2Where to find 3PLs: directories, matchmakers, referrals, platforms, trade showsExplainerComing soon
  • 3.2How 3PL matchmakers and brokers get paid, and what that means for their recommendationsExplainerComing soon
  • 3.2Building a long list and cutting it to a short listHow-toComing soon
  • 3.2Size fit: why being a big fish in a small pond (or the reverse) mattersExplainerComing soon
  • 3.2Location strategy for your first warehouseExplainerComing soon
  • 3.2Questions for the first discovery callExplainerComing soon

3.3The RFI and RFP

  • 3.3How to write a 3PL RFPTemplateComing soon
  • 3.3The RFP data pack: what to give 3PLs so they can quote accuratelyExplainerComing soon
  • 3.3Writing a scope of work 3PLs can't misreadHow-toComing soon
  • 3.3RFP timeline and process etiquetteExplainerComing soon
  • 3.3100 questions to ask a 3PL, by categoryChecklistComing soon
  • 3.3Red flags in a 3PL proposalExplainerComing soon
  • 3.3How to compare 3PL rate cards and quotes apples to applesHow-to11 min
  • 3.3Modeling total cost: running your real order history through each rate cardExplainerComing soon
  • 3.3Why the cheapest quote often isn't: hidden fees, minimums and assumptionsExplainerComing soon
  • 3.3Sensitivity testing: what happens to each quote if your volume or mix changesExplainerComing soon

3.4Due diligence

  • 3.4Warehouse site visit checklist: what to look for on the floorChecklistComing soon
  • 3.4What a clean or messy floor tells you about accuracyExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Questions to ask the floor supervisor, not just the salespersonExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Reference checks: what to ask current and former clientsExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Assessing a 3PL's financial stabilityExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Testing the WMS and client portal in a demo: a scriptExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Evaluating the account management model and team ratioExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Certifications and what they mean: SOC 2, ISO 9001, FDA registration, organic, C-TPAT, GMPExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Disaster recovery, business continuity and backup sitesExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Labor availability and turnover in the 3PL's marketExplainerComing soon
  • 3.4Capacity: will they actually have room for your peak?ExplainerComing soon

3.5Making the decision

  • 3.5Building a weighted scoring matrixTemplateComing soon
  • 3.5Who should be in the room for the final decisionExplainerComing soon
  • 3.5Choosing between two strong finalistsExplainerComing soon
  • 3.5The most common 3PL selection mistakesExplainerComing soon
  • 3.5Preparing for negotiationExplainerComing soon
  • 3.5Telling the losing bidders, and keeping a backup option warmExplainerComing soon